BX 5937 
t G85 S4 

C©PV 1 



SERMON 



DELIVERED 



IN TRINITY CHURCH, BOSTON, 



AT TH1 



FIRST MEETING OF THE CONVENTION 



OF 



THE EASTERN DIOCESE, 



19TH SEPTEMBER, 1810, 



BY 

ALEXANDER V. GRISWOLD, 

RECTOR OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, BRISTOL, (r. I.) 
BISHOP ELECT. 



PUBLISHED BY DESIRE OF THE CONVENTION, 



BOSTON : 

PRINTED BY MUNROE Sc FRANCIS, NO. 4> CORNHILL, 
1811. 



SERMON. 



2 TIMOTHY, IV. 

/ charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christy 
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and 
his kingdom, Preach the word ; be instant in season, out 
of season 5 reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and 
doctrine. For the time will come, when they will not endure 
sound doctrine ; but after their own lusts shall they heap, to 
themselves teachers, having itching ears. 

Sue h was the charge, so very solemn, which St. 
Paul, not long before his death, addressed to Timothy, 
his fellow labourer in the gospel ministry. And when 
we consider also the exemplary piety and active zeal of 
this faithful servant of Jesus Christ, it evidently concerns 
us to reflect upon the duties and the great obligations of 
this sacred office. If such serious exhortations— such 
solemn calls to duty were fit and needful for Timothy, 
who of us can hear them with unconcern ? 

In the two epistles, which the apostle wrote to this his 
" son in the faith," we have much useful instruction, for 
those especially who are ordained to preach the gospel- 



4 



The passage, selected from the second of these epistles, 
the Last probably that the apostle wrote, is worthy of 
particular attention ; and the subject it proposes, will 
not, I trust, be deemed impertinent to the present oc- 
casion. It is an earnest call to zeal and faithfulness in 
the sacred cause of religion, which merits the considera- 
tion of " all who profess and call themselves christians 
especially those who are appointed to manage the con- 
cerns of the church, and chiefly the appointed stewards 
of its holy mysteries. 

The three verses, which have been read, suggest as 
many heads to our discourse : 

In the first, we are reminded of some serious truths, 
which should always excite our zeal for the gospel 
of Jesus Christ, 

In the second, we learn some of the most essential 
duties of those who preach it. And 

In the third, an especial reason is assigned for the 
utmost diligence in discharging them. 

These are the points to which our attention is invited : 
God grant us ears to hear, hearts to understand, and 
wisdom to improve them. 

I. With great solemnity does the apostle introduce 
this charge to Timothy ; — with no less considerations 
than the presence of God, and the day of judgment. 
H I charge thee, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, 
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing 
and his kingdom." These are motives and reasons, 
which, however common, no serious person can hear 
without the deepest concern ; nor can any christian 



5 



slightly regard them,without inconsistency or insensibil- 
ity. There are many reasons why we should be faithful 
and diligent in the discharge of every duty ; but these 
chiefly should influence our conduct. The duty we 
owe to God, as our Lord and Saviour, and the assurance 
that he beholds our conduct ; that our hearts are in his 
hand, and our secret thoughts no secret to him ; that 
our Divine Master is the spectator of our actions, the 
witness of our zeal and faithfulness, and finally shall 
appear in his glorious kingdom to " judge the quick 
and the dead," are surely motives to obedience of 
primary obligation. They, who shall be alive at his 
coming, with all who sleep in their graves, shall hear 
his voice and come to judgment. God has appointed a 
day in which he will judge the world in righteousness 
by this man whom he has ordained. And the apostle 
calls upon us to live as in his presence here, and as 
those who must be judged by him hereafter. It is a 
truth, of which we cannot too often be reminded ; 
which diminishes the worth of all terrestrial things, and 
should stimulate every christian to press forward towards 
the prize of the high calling of God. 

This is peculiarly interesting to the ministers of the 
gospel, — the appointed stewards of the mysteries and 
manifold grace of God. For it is justly " required in 
stewards, that a man be found faithful." How awfully 
accountable to our Lord and Master are we, whom he 
has chosen from the world to administer in holy things ! 
to be instruments in his hands of giving life and salvation 
to men, and of training souls iox heaven and felicity ! 



6 



How solemn the thought, that the knowledge and prac- 
tice of truth on earth, and, God only knows how 
far, the happiness or misery of our fellow creatures in 
their future state, may depend on the diligence with 
which we perform our duty ! That many souls on 
that dreadful day of " his appearing and his kingdom' 1 
shall ascribe their misery to our unfaithfulness ! God 
has made us very much dependent. How wretched 
would be our present existence, deprived of mutual 
benefactions ! Nor is it any impeachment of divine 
wisdom or goodness to suppose, that the same economy 
pervades his spiritual kingdom, and that we may be 
made instruments of conferring on our fellow creatures, 
not only temporal, but eternal benefits. And if it be 
displeasing to God to neglect our duty in the one case, 
how much more in the other ! If the rich man, who 
suffers the poor to languish at his gate without relief, 
shall be condemned, how great is his guilt, who neglects 
to dispense the riches of grace and salvation to those 
needy souls, who are made dependent on his ministra- 
tions ! If we sin in withholding temporal food 
from those who need, how much more in keeping 
back the food of eternal life ! So awful is the responsi- 
bility of our stewardship : So tremendous are the con- 
ditions on which we hold our sacred office. 

With what faithfulness then and zeal, ought we to 
watch, " as they who must give account" to our heav- 
enly Master, and stand with others before his judgment. 
How ought we to take heed to ourselves, and to our 
doctrine, lest, after preaching to others > we become cast- 



7 

away. Freely have we received ; freely are we com- 
manded to give. " Son of man," saith the Lord by his 
prophet,* " I have made thee a watchman ; — therefore 
hear the word from my mouth, and give them warning 
from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shait 
surely die, and thou givest him not warning, — to save his 
life, — he shall die in his iniquity ; but his blood will 
1 require at thy hand." 

II. How we shall discharge this duty, and deliver 
our own soul, we thus are taught by the holy apostle : 
" Preach the word : be instant, in season, out of season : 
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and 
doctrine." It has pleased God to appoint, that, chiefly 
by the ordinance of preaching, men shall receive the 
knowledge of his salvation. He chose this foolish and 
weak thing of the world, to confound the wise and the 
mighty. Twelve apostles, in the lower ranks of life, 
with nothing of this world to recommend them, were 
sent, as the heralds of peace and salvation, to bear the 
banners of a crucified Saviour through the earth. These 
were to encounter the prejudice of the Jews, the igno- 
rance of the Gentiles, the pride of learning and philoso- 
phy, the power of idolatry, and the corruption and 
depravity of all mankind. In the strength of God they 
ivent, and they prospered. Preaching remains still the 
sacred ordinance by which God ordinarily imparts to 
man the knowledge of his grace and faith in him. For 
as our apostle says, " How shall they call on him, in 
whom they have not believed ? and how shall they 

* Ezek. iii. 



8 



believe in him, of whom they have not heard ? and how 
shall they hear, without a preacher ? and how shall they 
preach, except they be sent ?" The ordinance is impor- 
tant as it is divine ; and Timothy, as indeed every one 
ordained to that ministry, is here exhorted to zeal and 
faithfulness. 

" Preach the word," says the apostle, comprising in 
two words an injunction of vast import. To preach the 
word, — to preach the gospel, — and to preach Jesus 
Christ, are common scriptural phrases of the same mean- 
ing. For though the word includes all holy scriptures 
written for our learning, and the whole law of God, the 
same scriptures teach, that " Jesus Christ is the end of 
the law for righteousness to every one who belie veth." 
All the prophets center in him as the way and the life. 
The law looks forward, and the gospel back to him 
alone, as the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of 
the world. St. Peter, in his discourse before Cornelius, 
has given us a good explanation of what we may under- 
stand by preaching the word. " The word" he says, 
" which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching 
peace by Jesus Christ, (he is Lord of all,) that word, I 
say, ye know, which was published throughout all Ju- 
dea ; — how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the 
Holy Ghost and with power : — whom they slew and 
hanged on a tree : him God raised up the third day. — 
And he commanded us to preach unto the people and 
to testify, that it is he which was ordained of God to be 
the judge of quick and dead. To him give all the 
prophets witness, that through his name, whoever be- 



9 



lieveth in him shall receive remission of sins." This 
then is the word which we are to preach ; That Jesus 
Christ is the Lord our righteousness, who died for our 
sins, and rose again for our justification, and that eternal 
salvation is to be obtained through faith in his merits. 
This was the subject of St. Paul's preaching, who 
" testified, both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, re- 
pentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus 
Christ." Such should be the theme of our discourses. 
Whatever we teach and however good in itself, which 
has no respect to the Redeemer, nor our salvation 
through him, is not his gospel, nor is it the word, in the 
apostle's sense. We must preach the doctrines of the 
Saviour's cross ; such as the sinful, fallen state of man ; 
the redemption, which is through his blood ; the neces- 
sity of a conversion from sin, and renovation of the 
heart, through the sanctifying influence of the Divine 
Spirit, with the insufficiency of our best deeds and 
merit, and of our natural strength to attain acceptance 
with God and eternal life. We must preach " repent- 
ance towards God," as the necessary preparation for his 
heavenly kingdom, and the comforts of the gospel. 
We must set forth "faith towards our Lord Jesus 
Christ," as the condition of salvation through his blood; 
as the element of Christianity ; as the life and soul of 
moral goodness. 

We must also teach the necessity, and exhort men 
to the performance of every religious duty,— of every 
gospel ordinance, as the evidence, not of our righteous- 
ness, but of our faith. The sacred ordinances of oitr 



10 



religion, are, on God's part, testimonials of his love to 
us in Jesus Christ. On our part they are publick 
acknowledgments of our unworthiness to merit life 
eternal ; of our inability to save ourselves ; of our 
gratitude for God's mercies ; of our trust in the Lord 
our Redeemer, and submission to his righteousness. 

Moral virtue, though not in itself the word we are 
to preach, is also a very necessary part of our preaching. 
It is " a faithful saying," and it is our duty to " affirm 
constantly, that they who have believed in God be care- 
ful to maintain good works." We are to teach the 
strictest and purest morality : not indeed as the founda- 
tion of our hope, or ground of our justification ; not as 
entitling us to heaven and happiness : but as the just 
return for God's goodness ; as a grateful acknowledg- 
ment of his mercies ; as a cordial compliance with his 
will ; as the proper fruit of christian faith ; as a partici- 
pation in the Saviour's cross,and a conformity to his holy 
example, necessary to the glorious rewards of his heav- 
enly kingdom. 

Such is the morality we are called to preach, founded 
on a faith in the doctrines of the gospel ; and it is the 
only morality which will be of much real benefit to man- 
kind. Let us expatiate ever so finely on the inherent 
beauty and amiableness of virtue ; though we " speak 
with tongues of men and of angels" of the natural 
fitness of moral rectitude ; though we earnestly declaim 
against the vices of the age, and expose to view the 
deformity of sin, we shall never remove it from the 
heart, nor make men better, till we make them chris- 



11 



tians. When was the heart ever changed, or the world 
reformed, by this kind of teaching ? Will the best 
precepts of morality, independent of the truths and 
motives which the gospel reveals, awaken sinners to 
repentance ? Our flowery disquisitions on the various 
duties of life, though polished smooth as marble, will 
be as cold, nor touch the heart with the pure flame of 
devotion. That virtue is amiable, none can deny. 
But are its charms alone sufficient to counterbalance 
the allurements of the world, and restrain the inordinate 
propensities of corrupted nature ? No : we must preach 
the word ; we must preach the gospel : we must preach 
Jesus Christ, and him crucified. We must cleanse the 
fountain, that the streams may be pure. The word, 
the quickening word of God must be " grafted inwardly 
in the heart," before it will " bring forth the fruit of 
good living." They, who are whole, need not a physi- 
cian ; and they, who think themselves whole, feel not 
the want of one. Men must be sensible of their sinful, 
perilous state, before they will " hunger and thirst after 
righteousness ;" which yet they must do, before they are 
fed. For God fills the hungry with good things, and 
the vainly rich he sends empty away. How shall we 
apply to the great Physician, till we are sensible, that 
" we have no health in us ?" 

The apostle further exhorts Timothy to be zealous 
and active in preaching this word. " Be instant ;" be 
pressing, prompt, and urgent, making no delay. In 
business of such interesting concern, no time is to be 
wasted. God only knows what blessings may attend 



12 



our pious labours : he only knows what irreparable 
evils may result from our negligence. 

Nor must we neglect any favourable opportunity. 
£C Be instant, in season ; out of season." For " to eve- 
ry thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose 
under heaven." Accordingly " the Lord said, Who 
then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord 
shall make ruler of his household, to give them their 
portion of meat in due season ?" It highly concerns 
us all, who are invested with that sacred office, the 
stewardship of our Lord's household, to put this ques- 
tion to our own hearts. 

Wisdom and good order require, that there should be 
stated times and seasons for preaching the gospel. 
The apostle's words, " in season, out of season," imply 
that certain times for this service were then observed. 
The first day of the week, called therefore the Lord's 
day, was no doubt then in season, as it has been since. 
Timothy is directed, and we of course, to preach, not 
only on this day, set apart for that sacred purpose, but 
occasionally at other times, as opportunity occurs of 
being useful. " In the morning sow thy seed, and in 
the evening spare not thy hand." While men have 
ears to hear, let us not withhold the word. Let us be 
watchful of fit times to dispense the treasures of the 
gospel, and give to all their portion in due season. Let 
not indolence, nor any influence of worldly things, set 
us to find excuses for neglecting this duty ; but imitate 
our heavenly Father, who is more ready to give, than 
we to ask or receive. 



13 



We are further commanded to " reprove, rebuke, 
exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." The 
preacher of the word must be attentive, not only to the 
" due season but also to the respective wants and 
condition of his hearers, that he may give to all their 
portion of meat. " Of some," says St.Jude, " have com- 
passion, making a difference, and others save with fear, 
pulling them out of the fire." Presumptuous, daring 
sinners, will need reproof, and often rebukes. We are 
not to flatter men in their sins, nor put soft names upon 
those transgressions which incur the wrath of God, and 
lead to endless misery. " Knowing" ourselves " the 
terrours of the Lord," we must cease not to warn the 
wicked of their danger, and " persuade men," as they 
fear God, or regard their future happiness, to flee from 
sin. Those who stand we must exhort to perseverance 
and " patient continuance in well doing ;" that with 
purpose of heart, they cleave unto the Lord, holding- 
fast the profession of their faith without wavering ; that, 
" leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ," they 
" go on unto perfection," " adding to their faith virtue, 
— -knowledge, — temperance, — patience, — godliness, — 
brotherly kindness, and — charity." Give them just 
notions of the doctrines and the duties of Christianity ; 
that they neither neglect good works, nor improperly 
trust in them. Teach them to "rejoice with tremb- 
ling :" to fear without despair, and to hope without 
presumption. Thus should our preaching, far as possi- 
ble, be adapted to the wants of all ; to awaken sinners 
to righteousness ; to rouse the careless to vigilance ; 



14 



to strengthen the wavering with faith ; to comfort the 
fearful with hope, and check the too confident with fear. 

Such is the duty we assume, when we receive the 
sacred office of ambassador of Christ, and are authorised 
to speak in God's name, and by his authority to man- 
kind : an office ever to be undertaken with great rever- 
ence and a deep sense of its importance, and after dis- 
charged with equal care and fidelity. Timothy, though 
of an infirm constitution, and ill bodily health, is exhort- 
ed to be thus extremely diligent. And how cautious 
then should we be, that no excuses of a vain or trifling 
nature shall satisfy our conscience in neglecting so 
great a duty. 

III. The apostle adds, in the third verse of the text 
before us, an especial reason for the active zeal which he 
recommends : " For the time will come when they will 
not endure sound doctrine, but, after their own lusts, 
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching 
ears." This unpleasant part of our subject must not 
pass unnoticed. To what time he has reference, when 
these schisms and corruptions would commence, it is 
unnecessary to inquire. Our own time is that with 
which we are chiefly concerned ; and unhappily to our 
own time this prediction but too well corresponds. 
That there is an unwillingness to " hear sound doctrine" 
is much too evident from the many contradictory doc- 
trines which are received, and the various sects into 
which the church is divided. We live in an age and 
country, when and where, should we call in question the 
right of any to " heap to themselves teachers," and such 



15 



teachers as their " ears" prefer, no authority of the 
apostle would shield us from the charge of bigotry. 
The ordinance of preaching is not more liable to abuse 
by the indolence or vain- glory of those who are called 
to the ministry, than by the carnal propensities and 
caprice of hearers. There is no doubt but many are 
led to hear sermons by " itching ears," to gratify curi- 
osity, to be amused with novelty, or to be flattered and 
confirmed in favourite opinions, rather than by better 
motives. " Whereas there is among you envying, strife, 
and divisions, — while one saith, I am of Paul, and 
another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal ?" This 
propensity of christians to " walk as men," — to regard 
more their own pleasure and self will, than the will of 
God, and the peace and harmony of his church, is indeed, 
as the apostle intimates, and sad experience verifies, what 
renders the labours of Christ's ministers more arduous 
and difficult, and induces the necessity of greater exer- 
tions. It becomes therefore our duty in all our preach- 
ing, in season and out of season ; in all our reproofs, 
rebukes, and exhortations to have a singular eye to this 
evil. Let us be careful to teach that doctrine only 
which is " sound," and to " contend earnestly for the 
faith once delivered to the saints." Let no worldly 
motives of pride or selfishness, no influence of party 
spirit, no prejudice of education, nor any considerations 
of interest or popularity ever induce us to " fashion our 
doctrines to the varying hour," or neglect " to declare 
the whole counsel of God." At the same time let us 
follow after the things which make for peace in the 



16 



church, and after that charity which is its bond of per- 
fectness. For the truth's sake let us give up every 
thing but the truth ; and while we become all things to 
all men, let it be as the ozier bending before the storm, 
with the root invariably fixed and immoveable. It 
being so indispensably necessary to the success of our 
ministry, and the general prosperity of religion, that 
we are zealously active in propagating the doctrine 
which is sound, let us not turn to the right hand nor to 
the left, nor be weary in well doing. Let us ever imi- 
tate that constant and glowing, yet dignified and tem- 
perate zeal, equally remote from lukewarmness and 
enthusiasm, which was so perfectly exemplified in our 
blessed Saviour, and so happily followed by his holy 
apostles. 

Nor' is it less our duty to hear sound doctrine, than 
to teach it ; and we must take heed what we hear, no 
less than what we teach. The gospel is not sent to 
please the ear, nor flatter the capricious humours of 
man ; but to make us wise unto salvation ; to change 
the heart, and bring it in subjection to the will of God. 
The question is not what men prefer, but what God has 
t aught. The orator of this world is at liberty to accom- 
modate his discourse to the various interests, tastes, 
and opinions of mankind : but we must deliver to you 
the message, which we have received. We " cannot 
go beyond the word of the Lord to do less or more." 
We must preach his word, and declare his counsel. 
We must carry our commission in our hand ; nor can 
we lawfully depart from the holy commandment given 



17 



unto us. We are not at liberty to prophesy smooth 
things, or to select popular and pleasing subjects, but 
must often speak things ungrateful to our hearers. 
Being ambassadors for Christ we must be about his 
business, and pray you in his stead to be reconciled to 
God. We must " reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all 
long suffering and doctrine." Remember therefore, 
that God is wiser than man, and that in his name we 
speak, " as though God did beseech you by us." And 
most solemnly do we beseech you, to let no considera- 
tions of separate interest, or personal feeling, or worldly 
affections ever influence your minds to reject or pervert 
the pure word of God, or to do any thing, which will 
frustrate its prosperity, or cause or perpetuate divisions 
in the church of Christ. 

Finally, let us all, each in his respective istation, unite 
in the glorious work, to which it has pleased God to call 
us, and with sincere hearts and pious zeal, labour to es- 
tablish and extend the Redeemer's kingdom. The very 
interesting and important business, which has called us 
here, calls also for our united exertions in the saered 
cause. Great reason have we to bless God for the un- 
usual harmony, which has hitherto prevailed among the 
members of this and the preceding convention, and 
among all the churches which we represent. Is it not 
a most auspicious indication " of his favour and good- 
ness towards us, and that he favourably alloweth this 
charitable work of ours" in attempting to " strengthen 
the things which remain," and revive our churches from 
their languid state ? Humbly may we hope, from his 
c 



18 



mercies past, that he will bless and prosper our present 
work. The peculiar state of our church in this new Di- 
ocese calls loudly upon all its friends, and especially up- 
on us of this convention, to make those great exertions 
enjoined in our text, and every other exertion which its 
interest requires. God is promising, as we may hum- 
bly trust, a great blessing upon our labours. Appar- 
ently, an opportunity is given us, of seeing the church 
prosperous in our day, and of conferring great and du- 
rable benefits upon posterity. Should we lose this fa- 
vourable season, God only knows, if he will vouchsafe 
another. Now is the accepted time. Let us be awake 
to a sense of God's mercies, and of our own duty. Let 
us be zealous, — let us be united, as a band of brethren, 
in every requisite effort. Of the divine favour we may- 
be assured, if we are not wanting to ourselves. But 
without labour we are not to expect fruit. Though we 
" hear sound doctrine though we are ever so orthodox 
in our creeds and articles ; ever so regular and apos- 
tolic in our worship and discipline ; yet, if we are care- 
less and inattentive to the duties of our profession, our 
labours will not prosper ; tares will be sown among the 
wheat ; " they will heap to themselves teachers," and 
our churches will decline. This are we taught in the 
word of God, and this we are taught by long experience 
of Christianity from the seven churches of Asia, in the 
apostle's days, to seventy times seven in our own age, 
and even in our own country. 

Let us labour especially in preaching the word, and 
propagating sound doctrine* Let us always be found 



19 



at our post upon the watch tower of Zion, prompt at ev- 
ery call, and every season. While men will hear the 
gospel, let us not withhold it ; but always " fill the 
hungry with good things," and let it be their own fault, 
if any are 44 sent empty away." 

May it please God, in his own good time, to grant us 
once more an Episcopal head, duly qualified for the sa- 
cred office, and invested with the same authority as 
Timothy, the first bishop of Ephesus, to " reprove, re- 
buke, and exhort ;" to " ordain elders in every city," 
and every parish, where they are needed ; to visit and 
oversee the churches, and complete the administration 
of all the gospel ordinances. This we may humbly hope 
with his blessing will be a great and effectual means of 
prospering the work which we have in hand. 

And let us add to our exertions, humble and devout 
supplications to Almighty God, that he will inspire us 
with holy zeal and heavenly wisdom ; that he will direct 
our counsels and deliberations ; strengthen our hands 
and bless our labours to his glory, and to the good and 
salvation of his people. 

And to Him, the only wise God, be ascribed all glory 
m& praise, both now and forever. AMEN. 



THE 



CONSTITUTION 

OF THE 

Protestant Episcopal Church 

IN THE 

EASTERN DIOCESE 

OF THE 

United States of America. 



Article I. THE states of Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, 
New-Hampshire and Vermont shall constitute one episco- 
pal diocese, in subordination to the general convention, 
and shall be entitled, 

THE EASTERN DIOCESE OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Art. II. There shall be biennially held a convention of 
the church in this diocese on the last Wednesday in Sep- 
tember in each of the four states by rotation, composed of 
the clerical and lay delegates, chosen by the state conven- 
tions ; each state being entitled to send one or more dele- 
gates, not exceeding four of each order. 

Art. III. The convention shall deliberate and act in one 
body, but shall vote in distinct orders, when any member 
shall call for such a division on any question, and in such 
case a concurrence of a majority of both orders shall be 
necessary to give validity to any measure. 

Art, IV. The bishop, or if no bishop be present, a cler- 
gyman chosen by ballot, shall be president of convention. 

Art. V. At each meeting of the convention a secretary 
shall be chosen by ballot, who shall keep a true and fair 



2 



record of the proceedings of convention, and at the close of 
each session shall furnish the bishop with a copy of the 
same, or if there be no bishop, the standing committee. 

Art. VI. There shall be a standing committee elected 
at each stated meeting of the convention, consisting of seven 
persons, one of whom shall be from each state in the diocese. 

Art. VII. Whenever hereafter the episcopate of this di- 
ocese shall be vacant, the standing committee shall give in- 
formation thereof to the secretary of each state convention 
in the diocese, and also of the time and place of a special 
convention for the purpose of filling up such vacancy ; 
which special convention shall consist of the clergy belong- 
ing to the diocese, and a lay delegate from each of the 
churches, which may have been recognized by the bishop, 
or standing committee, and shall be held at least three 
months after such information is given ; and in every elec- 
tion of a bishop, the clergy shall make a nomination by bal- 
lot, which nomination shall be approved by a majority of 
the lay delegates present, before the choice shall be con- 
sidered valid. 

Art. VIII. Standing rules for the orderly conducting of 
business shall be devised from time to time in biennial con- 
vention. 

Art. IX. No state shall withdraw from this diocese, 
without the approbation of the house of bishops. 

Art. X. No alteration shall be made in this constitution, 
but in biennial convention, nor unless it, has been proposed 
in a previous convention, nor without the concurrence of 
a majority of the delegation from at least three of the states 
in the diocese. 

Done in convention of the clerical and lay delegates of 
the Protestant Episcopal Churches of the eastern diocese, 
consisting of the churches in Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, 
New-Hampshire and Vermont, this thirty-first day of May, 
in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and ten. 

(Signed) JOHN S. J. GARDINER, 

Pres. of Convention, 



Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 



In the year of our Lord one thousand e^ght hundred 

and ten. 

AN ACT TO INCORPORATE SUNDRY PERSONS, BY 
THE N1ME OF THE TRUSTEES OF DO NATIONS 
TO THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

Wh ere as in behalf of certain religious societies 
associated by the name of the Convention of the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church in this commonwealth, and 
comprehended in the association of the said church in 
the United States of America, it is represented that do- 
nations to a considerable amount have been made, and 
others are intended, providing for the support of the 
pastoral office of a bishop in the said church, and di- 
rected to other purposes, respecting their religious insti- 
tutions and public worship, and it is prayed that trustees 
may be incorporated, and enabled to receive and to hold 
in succession, and to manage and improve all such dona- 
tions to the pious uses and purposes aforesaid, therefore 
Section 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house 
§f representatives, in general court assembled, and by 
the authority of the same, That Thomas C. Amor}% 
Adam Babcock, Shubael Bell, David Cobb, Andrew Cra- 
gie, Asa Eaton, John S. J. Gardiner, Benjamin Greene, 
Stephen Higginson,James I vers, William Montague, Ed- 
ward Rand, Samuel Sewall, Samuel Smith, and Dudley 
A. Tyng, and their successors be, and they hereby are 
incorporated and made a body politic and corporate, by 
the name of The Trustees of Donations to the Protestant 
Episcopal Church ; and by that name may sue and be 



4 



sued, and shall have and use a comman seal, to be by 
them devised, altered, and renewed at their pleasine ; 
and shall have authority to hold meetings upon due no- 
tice thereof, and therein to establish all reasonable orders 
and by-laws, for the better government of the said cor- 
poration, not repugnant to the laws of this common- 
wealth ; and by said orders and by-laws the officers to 
be appointed in the said corporation, and employed in 
their affairs, and the manner of electing them, with their 
several duties and compensations, shall be determined 
and specified ; and at such meetings the said corporation 
shall direct from time to time the management, im- 
provement, and disposition oi the donations and proper- 
ty, with which they shall be entrusted, and the execu- 
tion and performance of the trusts and appropriations 
therein appointed. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees 
for the time being shall have authority at any meeting 
to be called for that purpose, to nominate and ap- 
point other trustees, and to remove any trustee ; pro- 
vided, that there shall not be in the said corporation at 
any one time a greater number than fifteen trustees, nine 
of whom shall be a quorum for transacting business : 
provided also, that no trustee shall be removed, unless 
with the concurrence of a majority of the w hole number 
of trustees for the time being : and provided likewise, 
that whenever the whole number of existing trustees 
shall happen to be less than ten, no meeting of the said 
corporation shall be called or holden for any other pur- 
pose than that of nominating and electing other trustees. 

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees, 
and their successors, in their corporate name and capac- 



5 



ity, shall be and hereby are made capable in law to re- 
ceive, take, hold, possess, manage, dispose of, lease 
bargain, sell and improve, conformably to the intentions, 
and subject to the limitations and directions of the do- 
nors, all donations of money and other personal estate, 
and of lands and tenements and other real estate, which 
shall and may be lawfully given, devised or transferred 
to the said trustees, and which shall be lawfully vested 
in, or recovered by them, and whereof the proceeds, 
profits, income or beneficial interest shall be directed to 
the purpose of supporting a bishop in the Protestant 
Episcopal Church ; or of promoting any religious or 
charitable institution of the said association of churches 
within this commonwealth ; and to receive, take, hold* 
manage, and improve any other real or personal estate^ 
which shall be lawfully conveyed, granted, or assigned 
to the said corporation in trust, and whereof the income 
shall be directed and appropriated to the support of a re- 
ligious pastor or teacher in any society or church, mem- 
bers of the said association of churches, under the su- 
perintendence of the same bishop. Provided, that the 
estates real and personal, which may be vested in the 
said corporation, other than such estates and property as 
may be conveyed or assigned in trust for the support of 
a religious pastor or teacher as aforesaid, shall not ex- 
ceed at any one time, in the annual income thereof ac- 
tual or estimated, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars. 

Sec. 4. Be it further enact ed, That the said corpora- 
tion shall be liable to be sued and impleaded before the 
supreme judicial court, at the suit of proper parties and 
complainants, by bill in equity and accordingto the course 

E 



6 



of proceedings in courts of law, having jurisdiction in 
matters of trust and of donations for pious and charitable 
uses : and the justices of the said court shall have au- 
thority thereupon to enforce the faithful performance, 
specifically or otherwise, as the case may require, of all 
trusts and appropriations limited and appointed upon 
any donations of lands, monies, and other estate real and 
personal, which shall be lawfully vested in the said cor- 
poration, and to inquire of the disposition and manage- 
ment thereof, and by injunction, sequestration, or other- 
wise, to be granted an awarded by the said court, such 
remedies and relief in the premises shall be afforded as 
to law and justice shall appertain. 

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That the Rev. JohnS. 
J. Gardiner and the Rev. Asa Eaton, be, and they here- 
by are authorised to fix the time and place for the first 
meeting of the said corporation, of which they shall 
give notice in writing to each member thereof. 

In the House of Representatives, March 1, 1810. 
This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. 

TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Speaker. 

In Senate, March 2, 1810. 
This Bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted. 

H. G. OTIfe, President. 

March 3, 1810. Approved, 

C. GORE. 

Secretary's Office, April 14, 1810. 

A true copy of the original act. 

Attest, WILLIAM TUDOR, 

Secretary of the Commonwealth.- 



1 



Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred 
and eleven. 

AN ACT IN ADDITION TO AN ACT, ENTITLED « AN 
ACT TO INCORPORATE SUNDRY PERSONS, BY 
THE NAME OF THE TRUSTEES OF DONATIONS 
TO THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH." 

Whereas the trustees of donations to the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church have represented that the limited 
number of their members is inconvenient and unfavour- 
able to the pious purposes of their incorporation. 

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of 
representatives, in general court assembled, and by the 
authority of the same, That the first and second provi- 
soes of the second section of the act to which this is in 
addition, which provisoes are in these words, viz. " pro- 
vided that there shall not be in the said corporation at 
any one time a greater number than fifteen trustees, 
nine of whom shall be a quorum for transacting busi- 
ness : provided also, that no trustee shall be removed, 
unless with the concurrence of two thirds of the whole 
number of trustees," be, and they hereby are re- 
pealed. 

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said trustees 
shall have authority from time to time to determine the 
number of trustees, w 7 hich shall constitute a quorum 
for transacting business ; and that no trustees shall be 
removed, unless with the concurrence of two thirds of 



8 



the number constituting a quorum for the time being, 
nor without the concurrence of two thirds of the num- 
ber present at any legal meeting of the said trustees. 

In the House of Representatives, Feb. 12, 1811. 
This Bill having had three several readings, passed to be enacted. 

JOSEPH STORY, Speaker. 

In Senate, Feb. 13 ,1811. 
This Bill having had two several readings, passed to be enacted. 

H. G. OTIS, President. 

Council Chamber, 14 Feb. 1811. approved, 

E. GERRY. 

Secretary's Office, Feb. 14, 1811. 

A true copy, Attest, BENJ. HOMANS, 

Secretary of the Commonwealth. 



THE FORM OF A LEGACY TO THIS SOCIETY. 

Item, I give to the Trustees of Donations to the Protestant 
Episcopal Church, incorporated March 3, 1810, by an act of the 
General Court of the State of Massachusetts, the sum of 

, to be raised and paid by and out of all my ready money, 
plate, goods, and personal effects, which by law I may or can 
charge with the payment of the same, and to be applied towards 
carrying on the charitable purposes for which the said Society 
was incorporated* 



I 

TO THE FRIENDS 

OF THE 

Protestant Episcopal Church, 

AND ALL 

LOVERS OF APOSTOLIC ORDER AND GOVERNMENT IN CHRIS- 
TIAN SOCIETY. 

The decayed, disorganized and depressed situation of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church in the four eastern 
States having been taken into consideration in an Epis- 
copal Convention of the church in Massachusetts in 
1809 ; it was proposed to invite their sister churches in 
Rhode- Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont to join 
with them in forming and adopting a constitution, which 
should comprise the said four states in one diocese ; and 
to elect a bishop for the same. 

The invitation was readily acceded to, and the clergy 
met at Dedham, and adjusted a constitution ; which in 
substance was adopted by a convention of clerical and 
lay delegates holden at Boston, in May, 1810, and a 
bishop was elected accordingly. 

In the mean time, by the zeal and activity of certain 
gentlemen, a board of trustees was incorporated to hold 
donations, in trust, for pious and charitable purposes ; 
with every power and privilege that any society of chris- 
tians in this, or any other country, could reasonably 
wish or desire. And a few zealous members of Trinity 
Church in Boston (a church always generous and liberal 
on pious and charitable occasions) voluntarily came 



10 



forward and subscribed upwards of six thousand dollars, 
as an example to others, and as the beginning of a fund to 
support a bishop to oversee and visit the churches, as 
was the usage in primitive times. — A most noble exam- 
ple for others to follow, as they may. feel themselves 
able and willing, to promote the Redeemer's kingdom 
among mankind. At the same time also, towards two 
thousand dollars were added by equally zealous Episco- 
palians of Christ's Church in Boston : And a number of 
gentlemen in Cambridge, by their subscription, discov- 
ered a laudable zeal and attachment to the Episcopal 
church in that town. " Go and do thou likewise" is 
the language of these liberal and worthy members of 
our church to all others in the diocese. If thou hast 
abundance, give alms accordingly. " If thou have but 
a little, be not afraid to give according to that little, for 
so thou layest up a good treasure for thyself against 
the day of necessity." Tob. iv. 8, 9. At the first 
convention, held under the constitution of the new dio- 
cese, in Boston, September 1810, further and more 
effectual ways and means were taken, by appointing a 
committee to co-operate with the board of trustees, 
to obtain subscriptions and contributions for the sup- 
port of a bishop, and other pious and charitable pur- 
poses, which are the sole objects of the fund. 

Now we, the undersigned committee, in compliance 
with our appointment, beg leave to call the attention of 
the members of our most excellent and ancient church 
(and also all pious and good men, of whatever denomina- 
tion, who may be well disposed towards our new dio- 
cese) seriously to reflect and consider the infinite impor- 



11 



tance of the subject for which we solicit their patron- 
age ; viz. the propagation of the gospel, which has the 
saviour of the world for its author, and the salvation and 
eternal felicity of mankind for its object* 

We ask charity, that the gospel may be preached in 
its primitive order, purity, and simplicity in those parts of 
the diocese where it now suffers under all the wild rant 
of enthusiasm, ignorance, and superstition on the one 
hand ; and the scorn of infidels, and the ridicule of the 
profane on the other. We ask aid, not for the support 
of any human institution ; nor for any unintelligible 
doctrines or dogmas of any party or sectary whatever, 
(which are so prevalent at the present day) but for the 
support of a church, whose liturgy was composed from 
the bible, by the most learned, pious, and illustrious 
men, who sealed it with their blood ; and which has 
remained almost as pure and unadulterated as those holy 
scriptures from which it was taken, through a series of 
corrupted as well as fanatic ages. 

It is hoped, and earnestly requested, that every person 
into whose hand this paper may fall will be willing to 
throw a " mite" into the treasury, to support a church 
which commands her members to obey civil govern- 
ment, and " to live quiet and peaceable lives in all god- 
liness and honesty." — A church, which teaches love, 
reverence, and submission towards superiors — reciprocal 
benevolence, courtesy, and aid towards equals — compla- 
cency toward the happy, and compassion toward the 
wretched — gratitude toward benefactors, and forgive- 
ness toward enemies — perfect harmony and affection 
toward those whose civil and religious sentiments are 



12 



the same as her own, and toward those who differ from 
her, " patience, meekness, forbearance, and long suffer- 
ing." — In a word, a church which teaches supreme love 
to God, through our lord and saviour Jesus Christ, and 
charity and good will to all mankind ; and for the sup- 
port of which St. Paul enjoins upon her friends, that 
they " charge them who are rich in this world, that they 
be ready to give and glad to distribute, laying up in store 
for themselves a good foundation against the time to 
come, that they may attain eternal life. Do you not 
know, that they, who minister about holy things, live of 
the sacrifice ; and they, who wait at the altar, are partakers 
with the altar ? Even so hath the Lord also ordained, 
that they who preach the gospel shall live of the gospel." 

" While we have time, let us do good unto all men, 
and especially unto them that are of the" (church or) 
" household of faith." Thus spake a primitive bishop, 
even an apostle, under the immediate inspiration of the 
Holy Ghost. 

Wm. MONTAGUE. ) 

BENJ. GARDINER, \ Committee. 

SHUBAEL BELL, ) 

ADAM BABCOCK, 

President of " The Trustees of Donations to 
the Protestant Episcopal Church." 



The 



WE 



dio 
stat 
is, 
retv 



pious pur] 
heads, as they 



poses^rite their charity or 



g the Episcopal Ch 
nt board of trustees, 



hriON. 

Esq. treasurer of " it Episcopal Church," incor- 
P 0I bs set against our resees, to be applied as hereafter 

he other states of the eastern 
lefactors of either of the said 
aid property or moniley request it. The meaning 
sent board of trusted pious or charitable purpose, 



>us and charitable p| 



mrpose of aiding" in 
of property belong- 
urch, or other ex- 
red respecting- the 
be discretion of the 



Fofs, 
vacanCts 
there fop 
paliaifor 
chaptphe 
shall I 



Manuscripts, pamphlets, and 
other papers respecting the 
church, as well as books old or 
new. will be gratefully accepted 
as the beginning of a diocesan li- 
brary, to be kept by the bishop 
for the Urr|e being. 



The following columns show the different modes of bestowing charity foM>ious purposes. The generous donors will write their charity or 
charities under any, or as many of the followinglieads, as they may feel abLe and disposed. 

SUBSCRIPTION. 

WE, whose names are underwritten, severally promise on demand to pay to Gardner Green of Boston, Esq. treasurer of " The Trustees of donations to the Protestant Episcopal Church," incor- 
porated by the legislature of Massachusetts, March 1810, or to his successor in office, the several sums set against our respective names, for the use of the said trustees, to Ik appli. d as In n alia 
expressed (on condition, however, that when an act incorporating trustees for similar purposes respecting the Episcopal Church shall have been obtained in cither of ihc other states of the eastern 
diocese ; the property or monies that may or shall be then in the treasury, or in possession of the present board of trustees, which was given by members or other benefactors of either ,,f ih( said 
states, thus having obtained an act incorporating a board of trustees for the purposes aiurcsaid ; the said property or monies shall be given up to the said board, if tliej ivepu st it. The KM aning 
is, that each state shall have their own property or money, which may then be in possession of the present board of trustees, and not having been appropriated to any pious or charitable purpose, 
returned, whenever an act of incorporation is obtained by the legislature thereof, to hold it in trust for pious and charitable purposes.) 



\ 

S 

i 




; 



13 



NOTE. 

The promoting and spreading, by all pious methods, 
the Episcopal, or true Christian faith, in places, where 
the jargon of religious party (and infidelity, its natural 
consequence) is the order of the day ; where innumera- 
ble contradictory creeds prevail, many of which are so ab- 
surd, that the Bible as well as common sense must first 
be renounced before persons can join in public worship : 
— The erecting churches and collecting religious socie- 
ties of apostolic order and regularity in those parts of the 
diocese,where the government makes no provision for the 
support of the gospel ; and where there is so much 
property in equity belonging to the Episcopal church, 
which only wants a little charitable aid of the pious, and 
the patronage of the board of trustees, to cause it, 
agreeably to the original design, to become to the 
present, as well as the future inhabitants of the country, 
where the property lies, what the blessing of Abraham 
" was, and is, and ever shall be," to the gentiles : 
— And also the assisting any indigent church or churches, 
whose zeal for the worship of God, according to our 
most excellent liturgy, makes them even liberal in their 
poverty ; are plainly works of such importance, and so 
excellent a design, that nothing need be said to recom- 
mend it to all rational christians of every denomination. 
Especially if they consider, that the erroneous doctrines, 
which are propagated at the present day with such inde- 
fatigable party zeal in certain parts of the diocese, are 
of such a nature and tendency, that, in all probability, the 

F 



14 



future descendants of the present inhabitants, in those 
places, will have little or no means, or at least very sordid 
ones, for acquiring a just knowledge of the true christian 
faith, unless they derive it from the Protestant Episcopal 
Church, and the labo' rs of those who are zealous in sup- 
port of her liturgy and doctrines. And here her friends, 
as well as all friends of religious order, can bestow their 
charity without the least fear of its being perverted from 
the true spirit, meaning, and intent of the donor, which is 
often the case when the receivers or holders of charities 
are not legally accountable for their sacred trust. But 
" The Trustees of Donations to the Protestant Episcopal 
Church," are not only engaged to publish an annual 
account of all the donations, which they shall have re- 
ceived, and the names of the benefactors ; but also in 
what way and manner, and for what purposes the mon- 
ies or charities have been appropriated. The judges 
like wise of the supreme court have authority to enforce 
a faithful performance of their trust, a power and privi- 
lege never before asked, or granted to any pious or 
charitable institution by the legislature of the common- 
wealth of Massachusetts. 

See the Act of Incorporation, Sect. 4. 



15 



IN pursuance of their incorporation " The Trustees 
of Donations to the Protestant Episcopal Church" have 
organized themselves, and have received from well-dis- 
posed individuals contributions amounting in the whole 
to upwards of six thousand dollars, which they have 
funded. 

Since the act in addition to their original incorpora- 
tion passed, they have elected a considerable number of 
members in each of the several states composing the 
Eastern Diocese, and indulge the strongest hopes that 
under the smiles of Divine Providence, and with the 
aids of their members and other friends to the Episco- 
pal discipline and worship, the funds will very shortly be 
competent to the decent support of the bishop of the 
diocese, and other pious and charitable purposes » 

The present officers of the Society are 

ADAM BABCOCK, Esq. President, 
Rev. ASA EATON, Secretary. 
GARDNER GREENE, Esq. Treasurer, 




021 897 842 3 » 



